Personal Assistant

Personal Assistant

EFTA Surveillance Authority

Brussels, Belgium

The EFTA Surveillance Authority (ESA) monitors compliance with the Agreement on the European Economic Area (EEA Agreement) in Iceland, Liechtenstein and Norway, enabling those States to participate in the Internal Market of the European Union.

ESA is an international organisation, independent of the States, which safeguards the rights of individuals and undertakings under the EEA Agreement, ensuring free movement, fair competition and control of state aid. ESA's work helps remove barriers to trade and open up new opportunities to over 500 million Europeans, creating jobs and growth and adding to the international competitiveness of the States.

ESA is based in Brussels. It currently employs 76 staff members of 19 nationalities. ESA is led by a College consisting of three members, each appointed for a period of four years by the three participating EFTA States.

Job Reference 03/2019

Role Description:

ESA is recruiting a Personal Assistant to join its Administration Department. This is an exciting opportunity for a highly motivated, flexible and service-minded new team member to work in a dynamic international environment. The successful candidate will provide support and assistance to the three College members in all matters as required.

The Personal Assistant plays a pivotal role in ESA, interacting with staff across the organisation and with external contacts in the EEA EFTA States. Strong interpersonal and communication skills are essential, as is a knowledge of and familiarity of one or more of the EEA EFTA States.

This is a very busy position and we are looking for a highly organised individual with a keen eye for detail and the ability to juggle competing demands on a day-to-day basis.

Organisation and co-ordination of numerous ESA-wide events and seminars;

Providing day-to-day practical support to the College Members, such as booking personal appointments and dealing with local administration;

Other administrative tasks in support of College and the Administration Department as required.

The following are essential:

Minimum 5 years’ professional experience working as a Personal Assistant in the private or public sector;

Knowledge of and familiarity of one or more of the EEA EFTA States;

Strong IT skills, in particular Microsoft Outlook and Word;

Excellent command of written and spoken English (ESA’s working language);

Good command of written and spoken French (in order to book appointments and deal with local administration);

A highly flexible and service-minded approach;

Excellent organisational skills and attention to detail;

Strong interpersonal and communication skills;

The ability to work both independently and in a team in an international environment.

The following are desirable:

Experience of organising and co-ordinating events;

Relevant professional experience from within a national administration;

Good command of Norwegian, Icelandic or German (the EEA EFTA languages).

Conditions:

This position will be filled in accordance with ESA’s policy on Recruitment Policy available at: https://jobs.eftasurv.int. Former ESA staff members are eligible to apply provided the closing date is at least three years after their departure date. In exceptional circumstances, this requirement may be waived. The three-year requirement does not apply in the case of applications from current or former ESA temporary staff, trainees and seconded national experts. Current and former EFTA Secretariat and EFTA Court staff may apply for positions in ESA at any time.

The position is placed at grade B5 of ESA’s salary scale, the precise step being determined depending on the relevant experience of the successful candidate, with a likely starting salary of between €51 000 and €55 000 per annum. Depending on personal situation and family status, additional allowances and benefits may apply. Tax conditions are favourable.

Type and duration of appointment: fixed-term contract of three years, renewable for a further three years if desirable and in the interest of ESA. Applicants must be nationals of the States party to the EEA Agreement (EU 28 + EEA EFTA 3). Applications from EEA EFTA nationals are particularly encouraged.

ESA actively seeks to promote a healthy work/life balance and a working environment allowing its staff members to develop their professional skills and interests.